B-17 or B-24 ride opinions

Inverted said:
I fly both the 17 and the 24 for Collings. Both are fantastic to fly in. From a riders standpoint the experience in the 24 is better I think. The 17 is more iconic and it is amazing too. You can't go wrong with either! Which stop are you getting a ride at?
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I'm very familiar with the B-17 and would love to fly one someday. How does one go about getting typed in one and flying it?
I volunteer my time and skills as an airframe mechanic to help build the "Champaign Lady" in Urbana, Ohio and have also helped a little bit with the restoration of the Memphis Belle down in Dayton. We are hand fabricating just about every single part and assembly from Boeing's drawings because the presses and special tools that were used in the factories no longer exist. The Champaign Lady will be the first "new" Fort since 1945.
If y'all are ever in the Urbana, Ohio area, drop in and have a look at our progress. There are also pics at the Champaign Aviation Museum website and there's also a facebook page.
 
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I've been waiting for a chance to post these pictures. This is my old K9 (Chewie) and I in Aluminum Overcast years ago.

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That dog had more flight time than many pilots I know.
 
av8tr1 said:
Quoted for truth. That dog could hunt babes like no ones business.

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My wife has forbidden me to use our dog to pick up women should we ever desperate or something tragic happen to her. Shame because between her and the 18 month old I'm pulling more looks and flirts than I ever did in college, and I've got the budget now to do something with it.


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Lawman said:
My wife has forbidden me to use our dog to pick up women should we ever desperate or something tragic happen to her. Shame because between her and the 18 month old I'm pulling more looks and flirts than I ever did in college, and I've got the budget now to do something with it.


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I was a 24 yr old single male when I got my Jack Russel, my intent when taking her to the park was to expend the copious amounts of energy and socialize her. After a few "encounters" I doubled my trips to the park.
 
I once had the opportunity to jump out of the bombay of a B-17 for $400, I wish I had taken it, because I am not sure if that will ever present its self again. Either way you go, looking forward to your write up.
 
tlewis95 said:
Take the B24! Or do the B17 now and wait until the OTHER B24 from the Commemorative Air Force comes around this Summer. ;)

Either way you can't go wrong and it will be a very memorable, moving experience and you will be supporting that airplane's continued operation.
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There's another B-24?


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Greg01 said:
There's another B-24?


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Diamond 'Lil and Witchcraft are still both actively flying.

'Lil is a B-24A, Witchcraft is a B-24J.

There's a number of non-B-24 parts on Lil (I can't remember exactly, but I think the engines/cowlings are slightly different than original - I may be getting that wrong) compared to Witchcraft.

My wife got a ride on 'Lil a few years ago. She took her grandfather's wings with her. He was a B-24 captain during the war. It was a pretty special event for her.
 
Anyone know if any of these warbirds are coming to the NY/NJ area this summer? I'll have to make it a point to be in position when they fly in and tell them they'll only get an approach clearance in exchange for a ride.

A few years ago at Tyndall AFB, Fifi called up for flight following and when I realized they were the B-29 begged them to do a low approach into Tyndall. They were more than happy to oblige and did circles the field a couple times at 1,500'. So awesome.
 
NovemberEcho said:
Anyone know if any of these warbirds are coming to the NY/NJ area this summer? I'll have to make it a point to be in position when they fly in and tell them they'll only get an approach clearance in exchange for a ride.

A few years ago at Tyndall AFB, Fifi called up for flight following and when I realized they were the B-29 begged them to do a low approach into Tyndall. They were more than happy to oblige and did circles the field a couple times at 1,500'. So awesome.
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Wings and wheels is coming up at CDW I think.
 
killbilly said:
There's a number of non-B-24 parts on Lil (I can't remember exactly, but I think the engines/cowlings are slightly different than original
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Part of the confusing provenance of Diamond Lil is that it was a lot of things. It was built as a B-24A, but diverted off the assembly line to become an LB-30 for Britain, but had an accident before delivery, so it was retained by the USAAC and modified during that operational history as the prototype C-87, and still used as an executive transport for the remainder of the war period.

So, it was never really exclusively either a B-24A or an LB-30 or a C-87, but at the same time it was all of those things.
 
Hacker15e said:
Part of the confusing provenance of Diamond Lil is that it was a lot of things. It was built as a B-24A, but diverted off the assembly line to become an LB-30 for Britain, but had an accident before delivery, so it was retained by the USAAC and modified during that operational history as the prototype C-87, and still used as an executive transport for the remainder of the war period.

So, it was never really exclusively either a B-24A or an LB-30 or a C-87, but at the same time it was all of those things.
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She's got character.
 
Hacker15e said:
Part of the confusing provenance of Diamond Lil is that it was a lot of things. It was built as a B-24A, but diverted off the assembly line to become an LB-30 for Britain, but had an accident before delivery, so it was retained by the USAAC and modified during that operational history as the prototype C-87, and still used as an executive transport for the remainder of the war period.

So, it was never really exclusively either a B-24A or an LB-30 or a C-87, but at the same time it was all of those things.
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Sort of correct. She was a B-24A that was damaged during delivery, and during the repair, converted to an LB-30. At least how I was told.
 
For the record, the type rating on my license for the B-24 is CV-30. It's the same type rating for the LB-30 so in the end Lil and Wichcraft are the same type rating. Everyone gets too wrapped up in one being real over the other. Witchcraft is the only B-24J flying period. Lil is a Converted B-24. I say embrace the LB-30...
 
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